|
NODA North West Review Mack & Mabel Mack Sennett, the illustrious silent picture mogul was the King of Slapstick Comedy and reminisces about his career. In a series of flashbacks, Mack takes the audience through the glory days of the Keystone Kops, his infamous bathing beauties and his relationship with one of his greatest stars - Mabel Normand. Mack recalls how he persuaded Mabel to leave her hum-drum life at a delicatessen for the heady heights of movie stardom and how he projected her into phenomenal success. However, the now ambitious actress, keen on trying out Drama rather than Comedy, leaves Mack for another Director, William D Taylor and becomes embroiled in the more seedier side of Hollywood. Her dalliance with drugs and the scandal surrounding Tayfor's eventual murder leaves Mabet's career in ruins. Mack tries to resurrect it and their relationship, but all to no avail - Mabel ultimately dying in anonymity of a drug overdose. But this is no ending for a master of comedy so Mack comes up with an alternative finale to give Mabel the "happy ending" he had always promised her. The plot line of Mack and Mabel with its drug references and the sad demise of one of its main characters, can often be dreary. Happily, St Annes, enthusiasm managed to avoid this problem and delivered a very enjoyable show. Peter Weston was superb as the obstinate moviemaker, Sennett and Cathy Patterson was excellent and his protegy and lover, Mabel Normand. Both gave wonderful performances in their respective roles. They were well supported by the rest of the cast especially Steve Hagan as Mack's sinister rival, W D Taylor - ifs a good job is was presented well before Christmas or the audience may have booed and hissed him. Another main contribution to the success of this show was the slick choreography by Rachel Kirkham. The trick is to make the chorus appear to be competent dancers - even if this is not aways the case and she achieved tlhis admirably. I would also like to congratulate Bob Bamber for his excellent orchestra. So many times, the only mention the "band" receive is for drowning out the Principals but on this occasion, they were a perfect accompaniment for all and fully deserved their applause at the end. Mack and Mabel played to packed audiences all week - attend that should continue for some time if St Annes continue to keep up this standard. Tommy Warburton
|
